Have you heard anything about Lazar Markovic leaving for Aston Villa during this transfer window?

JJFinan

{Ed001's Note - Markovic is available and we have had a number of enquiries from the Championship but the player is not keen on dropping down. Perhaps they could persuade him with the fact they are in the running for automatic promotion but only he could know his thoughts on that.}

1.) 23 Jan 2018 17:50:12
Thanks for the reply Ed. He needs to be playing football so will hopefully get a move this window.

4.) 23 Jan 2018 20:15:25
Careers are ruined by a number of factors and not by a club.

Why a club receives the blame is beyond me.

I would suggest that a players ability, agent advice or serious injury ruins a career, not a club who promises then pays a "professional" to conduct his/ her business only to realise that they themselves have made a poor signing.

{Ed001's Note - he hasn't impressed, not sure he has all that much potential personally.}

6.) 23 Jan 2018 20:28:47
I would say not all a clubs fault Dave and I agree with your post. Clubs don’t sign players that they don’t think are going to be good enough. However, clubs could and should perhaps be a little more realistic with prices when looking to move players on that they don’t deem good enough. I think the eds have said that we’ve priced the likes of markovich out of moves by trying to get our money back when we could have been more realistic.

8.) 23 Jan 2018 23:53:59
Clubs aren't wholly responsible, but they certainly play a part. And it's not just about money. We bought Lazar a year too early, perhaps more, if I recall what Ed002 said correctly. He was a squad player for us rather than getting regular playing time and developing in another league. We bought him knowing he wasn't ready, because we wanted to beat other clubs to him. And has been mentioned, our loan system is very dissimilar to the more successful structures. I love LFC, but they definitely didn't do everything they could to ensure this man a successful career.

9.) 24 Jan 2018 08:11:39
He played for more or less a full season under Rodgers, played in most games and never showed up in 95% of them - I'm afraid you're blinkered if you think the club is fully at fault for his poor output.

He's also rumoured to be a very bad trainer, is that the club's fault too, or maybe we can blame his previous clubs for that?
No? How about blaming Sporting/ Hull/ Fenerbace?

Last time I checked, clubs were not responsible for how a player develops, the player is - do we take all the credit for Coutinho?!
That'd be quite arrogant wouldn't it?

10.) 24 Jan 2018 11:48:55
Olrish, you completely made that up. He’s made 19 appearances for LFC in TOTAL . How’s is that playing 95% games in a season where we played 50 -60 games?

I taking a guess here ( not making it up) but I would say about half of those were sub appearances and being played in a wing back position ( not he’s position) we’ve Totally ruined the guy and need to take responsibility for it. Is it not the club that is over pricing him out of permanent moves? So they don’t rate him but want a load of money for him. Makes loads of sense.

Clubs are totally responsibly for how players develop. Why would clubs commit to 20 million and wages of probably a couple of mil a year just to say you’re on your own- put the work in or you’re out!? Why invest without a development plan for a player that is not ready and needs development?

12.) 24 Jan 2018 13:01:22
Swishcleaner,
Are you not able to read or just choose not to?
I clearly said he played for a full season under Rodgers, where did I say that he played in every game?

He played 19 LEAGUE matches in actual fact mate, not to mention cup appearances.
How many of the 20 or so appearances did he take the match by the scruff of the neck then? Answer - None!

So out of, let's round it off at a nice 20 matches, he played out of his skin exactly zero times, this actually gives him a 100% record, so you're right, I was out by 5% and he was absolutely, completely useless, not just the 95% useless I mentioned earlier - thanks for clearing that up and correcting me.

Again I'll ask, how exactly is that the club's fault that he was that useless when he came full of promise?
Why did he not train harder?
Do we accept all of the glory then for Coutinho's development?

13.) 24 Jan 2018 18:20:30
Kev, Rodgers played him at wing back, if he really wanted a wing back, then he should have bought one, for me, Rodgers played him out of his true position, as he did other players .

14.) 24 Jan 2018 20:52:42
He is still a pro but didn't act like it.
He also only played Wing Back in the 2nd half of the season off and on when we had an injury crisis upfront leading to a formation change.
He was woeful on the wing and even got sent off against Basel in our make or break final match of the group in the Champions League, we only drew and were eliminated.
He never played well for us whatever position he played in.
Didn't exactly set the world on fire on loan in weaker leagues either did he?!

I stand by my original point, Liverpool didn't ruin the lad, he's in control of his own performances once out on the pitch and they've been poor.
His application on the training field was no better apparently.
Some players just don't fulfil the potential that was believed to be in them or sometimes develop later after dropping down a level or two.

15.) 24 Jan 2018 22:32:07
That's harsh Kev. He was hard done by seeing red in that match. Lots of young players need time to settle into a new club, country, league etc. Perhaps it was clear from the outset that he didn't have as much ability as expected. Maybe there are other reasons that we're not aware of as to why he's not made more than 1 ap on the bench this season. We don't know, but it is clear that in the very few games he played for us he was seldom used in his preferred position. He impressed at times in the match away to Madrid, and when it was clear the club didn't see a future for him they priced him out of a number of other potential moves.
I'm not trying to do the club down, and I'm not suggesting had he been allowed to leave to another club 18 months ago permanently that he'd be a star, but lfc got this wrong.

16.) 25 Jan 2018 06:41:45
They got the transfer wrong for sure Matty, but there's not much they can do once he's here other than play him, then it's up to him and he played terribly.
You cannot blame the club for that mate, he didn't take his chance.

All good players adapt, even to new countries, or just positions on the pitch.
We've seen it so many times in the past here and elsewhere, Firmino here for example, Coutinho, Gerrard - off the top of my head, they all were asked to change position and did so still playing well.

There's many, many others who have, but they're good players - Markovic unfortunately is not a very good player and is unlikely to ever be, but who knows what the future holds for the lad?!

7.) 31 Aug 2017 21:36:02
Sakho was a liability on the pitch and apparently off it too. Bambi staring into the oncoming headlights on ice w no skates. Totally disrespected the club and fans w benteke celebration last season to boot. Wish him well glad he's gone.

3.) 08 Jun 2017 15:02:29
Just curious. I'm an American, as my name clearly shows. I understand the tactical/ technical side of the game (am a U-18 coach) yet the business side can often elude me. How much of this debacle is down to the tabloid culture in England? I see fans groaning about how embarrassing this is, but a lot of it seems to stem from the fact the the tabloids in the U. K. are so quick to post transfer rumors.

6.) 08 Jun 2017 17:47:28
Hi Yankee. It's very un-British. It's embarassing and goes against any sense of fair play. That said we British have been betraying people for centuries all around the globe (Perfidious Albion etc. )
It's doubly embarassing to be caught and triply embarassing to be so stupid after previous incidents.

22 Feb 2018 15:42:55
Just wondering on what the thoughts are of other supporters ahead of this summers transfer window.

I personally think it is going to be a very busy window for a lot of top clubs this summer. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are looking at big squad overhauls. So that will mean them targeting premier league players and some of the big name players they are offloading heading to the premier league.

If Liverpool can get the summer transfer window right, then we can be major contenders. As some of our rivals such could be losing some of their best players to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Man United could lose De Gea and possibly Pogba.
Chelsea could lose Courtois, Hazard and Azpilicueta.
Spurs could lose Alderweireld, Eriksen, Kane.

We need to attempt to address our goalkeeping situation as Mignolet and Ward are likely to leave. Ideally I would like us to sign Alisson (will face lots of competition) or Jan Oblak. I think we should try and sign the best goalkeeper we can and look at it as a 5-6 year minimum investment and spend a world record fee for a goalkeeper if necessary. If we cannot get one of them 2, I would stick with Karius as he is improving.

We will need to sign a right back, with Gomez most likely becoming a CB option next season and Trent Alexander- Arnold's long term future being in midfield. Maybe Thomas Meunier or Ricardo Pereira.

Centre backs I do not expect us to sign another centre back unless lovren or Matip were to move on. De Vrij on a free would be appealing though.

Left back likely to remain with Robbo and Moreno unless we can sign a top top left back, few are around unfortunately.

Midfield i expect a few changes, Emre Can looks as good as gone. We already have Keita coming in. There is a chance that Milner and or Lallana could move on. Marco verratti would be ideal. Very unlikely though. Lucas Torreira and Karim Demirbay have been linked. Possibly a creative midfielder who can score goals, can be looked at as well maybe Isco or James Rodriguez.

The front 3 it is most important that we keep Mane, Salah and Firmino at the club. We should look to sign someone like Thomas Lemar to rotate with the front 3 and to ensure we have depth in that department if injuries occur. Ideally a better back up option than Solanke and Ings but maybe one of them could develop in that role.

I think this season will be deemed a success if we can get a top 4 finish again. A trophy would be nice but the champions league will be difficult to win.

JJFinan

1.) 22 Feb 2018 16:15:38
I think with five teams in the knock out stage of ucl the Premier league stock has gone up. Real and Barcelona are the biggest teams but la liga ain't as good as prem for me. I think it is going to be easier for Liverpool to sign top talent in the summer especially if we qualify for the ucl again which I think we will. Could be very interesting next season.

2.) 22 Feb 2018 16:41:09
The only thing we will be contending for is 4th spot. The other teams are simply better than us.
Regardless of who we get in the summer I don't see us anywhere near 1st.
Don't get me wrong the owners will back us but it's fruitless as the other teams will still be better teams and have the better squad.

3.) 22 Feb 2018 16:45:07
Its one of de Gea or Courtois not both, because both are of interest to Real Madrid and only one of them will be signed.

Can't see anyone going for Pogba at the price and wages.

Azpilicueta is Chelsea's most important defender, can't see him going anywhere.

Harry Kane and Eriksen will probably not leave spurs either, unless Pochettino goes to Real Madrid, Alderweireld and Danny Rose are more likely.

We have to give Mane, Firmino and Salah new contracts asap, or risk loosing one of them, to me that would be the most important signings we make this summer, getting those 3 signed up before the world cup so we don't have to deal with unsettling transfer saga's all summer.

5.) 22 Feb 2018 18:08:25
I don’t know why demirbay is always named on here. A while back german sky reporters asked him about interest from Roma and he almost confirmed going there (at least heavy interest from both sides and ongoing talks) .

Also he won’t be an improvement of any shape or form. I’d rather take a youth player and give them a chance than buying demirbay for way more than he is worth.

6.) 22 Feb 2018 18:10:11
Nostradmus2.0 it's only my opinion and I fully expect to be proven correct. However I hope I am completely wrong.
Its not about giving up you should strive to do your best in any aspect of life.

8.) 22 Feb 2018 19:07:40
Personally I still think we will finish second. I couldn’t torture myself by watching United last night, especially after Maureen came out and said not to expect any goals! Imagine if Klopp said that - you would think he had taken a bang to the head! We are the second best team in the league IMO, with Tottenham 3rd best - but I don’t think they will finish 3rd - either 4th or 5th.

9.) 22 Feb 2018 19:10:59
Sgred it's wasn't about giving up it was being realistic with what our team will achieve. As long as the guys try their best.
We are not near man City in any aspect as much as it pains me man u will be able to out spend us and chelsea are always around the top four.

10.) 22 Feb 2018 21:19:24
Nothing realistic about it whatsoever just negative bull, Wigan the league 1 side just dumped the mighty Man City out of the FA cup, Manchester United keep spending money but still need a new defense and midfield and if they lose De Gea good lord they will not finish in the top 4 for a while, also Chelsea will most probably lose Eden Hazard in the summer, replacing him won't be easy, plus Conte will be leaving and not every manager does a Conte in his first season. Spurs will lose Toby Alderweireld and probably Danny Rose and their manager is very very sought after so can't see him staying there for ever either, and once he leaves the likes of Eriksen, Kane and Alli might follow. We have as a good a chance as anyone to finish top of the league with the right signings and keeping hold of our best and most important ones.

11.) 22 Feb 2018 23:09:59
Midfield wise I’d really love if we could bring in Lemar, Brandt, Meyer (free) and I’d be happy with that.
We also have Keita arriving in the summer, but I can see Can, Milner and possibly Lallana leaving. Sessenogn would be a great signing and can play left back and left wing. Fulham would prefer not to deal with us though but the youngster may prefer playing for Klopp than Pochettino.

13.) 23 Feb 2018 00:31:55
If United lose De Gea and sign Navas, they’re in trouble. If they lose De Gea and sign Oblak or Alisson then they’re not. If we sign Navas, we’re in for trouble as he is pretty hopeless.

14.) 23 Feb 2018 10:59:12
Spot on, Frankly. And if anyone has any doubt as to how poor Navas is, I invite you to watch the last la Liga game he played in vs Betis where he was at fault for 2 of the 3 goals they conceded. Ironically in the next game vs Leganes in midweek, he was "rested". I wonder why.

15.) 23 Feb 2018 16:43:26
BRover exactly, he costs Madrid matches and if he comes here it will be even worse as his weaknesses will be exposed even more. If we aren’t going to sign Becker then stick with Karius and Ward and bring in a 35+ year old for back up, like Cech for example.

16.) 23 Feb 2018 17:07:07
*I would just spend wherever needed to get M. Savic (CM) .
*If by the end of the season Karius do well then there is no need for a new GK if not get Alisson/ Oblak.
* Just get a LB if Moreno doesn't stay like R. Sessegnon/ Gaya/ Bernart.
* Buy a CB if Matip or Lovren can't form a good partnership with VanDijk like T. Alderweireld/ Koulibaly, S. DeVrij.
*If Lallana goes let Grujic play in the first team or any good youngster for us like Ejaria, Woodburn, Brannagan.
*If Sturridge, Ings and Origi leaves then we should buy a proper number 9 like Timo Werner.

1.) 29 Jan 2018 16:16:07
Big mistake by klopp, any injuries an we screwed, good having faith in squad but not enough quality there, ings will have too step up also solanke, woodburn, I would like too see Harry Wilson get time in the team but he isn't considered up too it, I worry for our top 4 ambitions as the other 6 around us are stronger.

{Ed002's Note - Nonsense. Liverpool has a good size squad and others who can be used. Ings hasn't played more than a few minutes this season and neither has solanke - do there is plenty of cover. Woodburn is a child and Wilson won't have a future at the club. I get the feeling that people know very little about the club.}

2.) 29 Jan 2018 18:10:53
Good sized squad but very little quality in important positions Ed.

5.) 23 Aug 2017 01:45:01
Unless we have both VVD and Keita signed up then any sale of Coutinho materially weakens the side so no thanks. I would like to see a season of him playing behind Mane, Firmino and Salah.

9.) 23 Aug 2017 02:43:04
News coming from Sky Sports about this new bid. Not very reliable though are they?
What do u think Eds? Have Barcelona given up or do u actually expect them to get so desperate?

10.) 23 Aug 2017 05:37:41
Crunch time. Will FSG stick to their guns or has this all been a ploy to get as much out of Barcelona as possible following the Neymar sale? Barcelona are obviously desperate to prove they still have the muscle and a part of me wants us to stand firm just because of that, but £138m!?!? If the add ons are achievable and we have a replacement lined up then as much as I love Phil, I think I would take it. Any predictions/ thoughts Ed001? Not asking for inside info I just like discussing people opinions on stuff like this.

11.) 23 Aug 2017 06:56:13
This story broke through last night via the S*n and a reporter on sky sports - via twitter.

If it's believed, £100m up front with achievable add ons, it's a lot of cash but. Barcelona have been playing games with ridiculous bids, we've not had enough time as it is to try and replace him. Bidding just before our CL game as well? I'd stick to my guns and tell them to F off.

I'm sticking by feelings on this - Selling PC when the club have catagorically said he's not for sale makes us look incredibly weak and shows to other players in the club that we will eventually crumble if they decide to leave.

Selling PC and not landing our two top targets will be disasterous both on and off the pitch imo

12.) 23 Aug 2017 07:20:09
If the add ins are the same as before then they're by no means guaranteed so the deal should be looked at as 101m. Also correct me if I'm wrong Eds but the money in (especially if in stages) has no bearing on whether or not LFC buys or can afford to buy right now?

13 Mar 2018 11:45:22
I agree that we have not had the rub of the green with refereeing decisions this season, which has cost us at least 10 points. However in a lot of those games we had chances to put those games to bed which we wasted. The Watford, Burnley and Everton games spring to mind. As for Saturday we could have probably should have had at least 2 penalties, however apart from the own goal we never looked like scoring. We needed to do more irrespective of the refereeing decisions. I’ve noticed we don’t seem to win many games with Craig Pawson or Jon Moss refereeing the games.

10 Aug 2017 11:03:52
Its just my opinion but surely if Coutinho steps up another level and adds that bit of consistency, then Barcelona would be interested again in the future. If my understanding is correct they see Couts as a replacement for Iniesta and not neymar. Of course I'd be more than happy if their interest ended this summer and we kept him.

30 Jan 2018 00:52:19
I think Giroud would be ideal. He’s great in the air, technically good and links up well with other attackers. He would be a great option to bring on in games like the swansea and West Brom ones. Also his goal scoring record is very good for someone who doesn’t often start and he does have an impact of the bench.

It won’t happen though.

We could do with a defensive midfielder to protect the centre backs, in the mould of a Mascherano or a makelele.

Definitely would like to see Klavan starting instead of Matip as well.

17 Aug 2017 17:29:14
No problem Ed, thanks for the swift response. I read somewhere before that Klopp had an interest in him perhaps it was from his time at Dortmund.

In my opinion he is definitely a player with a lot of ability and would be a good option for us to consider if available at that price.
If i had a choice i would like us to go for Lorenzo Insigne from Napoli, scores and assists plenty, however i can't imagine Napoli being prepared to sell.

17 Aug 2017 19:13:13
Possibly because PSG need to sell a few to comply with FFP. I think he would be a good signing personally unless he is a big problem off the pitch.

If Couts goes and we sign Draxler/ Insigne, Keita/ Seri and VVD/ Howedes. Then we will be a better team and probably won't have spent much money again. If we can keep Couts and get a couple of them in even better. It's not been an amazing window for us yet but still optimistic until it closes.

12 Aug 2017 11:28:28
Great post agree with everything said. We get blasted on here for the way we go about transfers and quite rightly. But Barcelona should stop low balling in the current market the bids they have made are insulting. The cheapskates need to offer the majority of that Neymar money if they want Couts and we should accept only if we can find a suitable replacement first.

11 Aug 2017 15:16:34
No I understand they want to sign a player to replace iniesta now. What I am saying is i don't believe now is the right time for Liverpool to sell Coutinho. If we want to win trophies again we need to keep our best players. I wouldn't be thrilled if i was Coutinho and Barcelona said it's now or never. Then point I'm making is we don't need the money and don't need to sell. It's just my opinion on what I would like the club to do. I respect the fact that the eds have better knowledge of all that's going on.